For days, teachers, students, firefighters, and many others offered uninterrupted testimony in the capitol, explaining why they want to protect the rights and livelihoods of Wisconsin's middle class.

But they may be equally eloquent in the homemade signs they're carrying:

"My teachers, my mom, and my granny r NOT public enemies," reads one girl's poster. "Union workers: When we get screwed, we multiply," says another.

Click here for a slideshow of signs and slogans from the Madison protests.

Interested?

by Sarah van GelderIt took awhile, but protests in Wisconsin show that poor and middle
class Americans are ready to push back against the policies and cuts
that hurt them most. Madison may be only the beginning.

As Wisconsin's public workers fight to keep their wages and bargaining
rights, they're joined by others involved in a labor struggle: their
Super Bowl champion neighbors.

No Paywall. No Ads. Just Readers Like You.You can help fund powerful stories to light the way forward.Donate Now.